For any given problem, there are lots of tools out there to help us solve it. The programming world is no different. In fact, programmers usually have very strong opinions on the tools that they use. Some will even outright refuse to work with a particular tool that they don't like. And in some cases, this is for good reason. After all, you wouldn't build a rocket armed only with a hammer would you? (Iron man doesn't count) Well in the software world, chances are that you wouldn't want to build a web app using assembly, or a command line tool with a gui builder.
But in the real world, or at least my world outside of clear cut examples, the answer is not always obvious. There are many tools that would do the job, and they would all do it well. And what's more is that it's difficult to predict the future of a particular project, so how do we know that the tools we pick today are suited for future needs? (Of course with python, the answer is simple: from __future__ import tools)
There are more web frameworks than I can count to, and we still can't agree on which text editor to use. (I myself use nothing but ed, because it's hardcore and it's what picks up chicks in a bar.)
Fitness experts also have these kinds of problems. If I want to build more x muscle, or get better at y, how should I work out? What should I eat? These are not always easy questions to answer, and what's more, is that if you ask 5 experts you'll probably get 5 different answers. But, I ran across one interesting response:
Everything works, but nothing works all the time.
I think this holds true for programmers too. I for one find myself constantly comparing different characteristics of similar tools, trying to come up with which one is "the best". However, when coming up with which is better in my mind, I usually only consider my particular short term needs, so my conclusions tend to be biased. Then when faced with similar problems in the future, I go with what I know. But of course, this time it might not be the right tool for the job. I could try to be hitting everything with my new hammer as if it were a nail.
Which brings us to another quote:
The best workout is the one you're not doing.
New frameworks, new languages, and new concepts are what expand our minds the most. Change the tools you use every now and then. You'll be glad you did.